Login / RegisterMarch 25 declared as Tom Cone Day in Vancouver
Mayor Gregor Roberston has declared March 25 as Tom Cone Day in Vancouver, in honour of the playwright, librettist, and philanthropist, who was awarded the inaugural Mayor’s Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement last week.
Cone, who is currently battling cancer, was born in Miami, Florida, but made his home in Vancouver, launching a career that included writing such plays as Herringbone (1975); Stargazing (1978); and 1792(1978).
Cone also commissioned new works from Vancouver composers and musicians and often opened the home he shared with Karen Matthews for their performance. Those early concerts lead to the Song Room series of concerts, which serves as a salon for commissioning new song collaborations between Vancouver writers and composers.
He is also responsible for helping establish the experimental arts collective Cabinet; The Opera Project, which commissions 10-minute operas; and a series for B.C. poets called Home Front.
”Tom’s influence has inspired innumerable local and national artists in their creation and exhibition of new works of theatre, visual art, experimental music, and literature,” said Robertson, in a news release. “He has worked tirelessly to lead and strengthen Vancouver’s arts and cultural community, and to encourage dialogue about the arts and public life.”
